Chapter 71: Cannot Cross the Tribulation

Pan Yun was deeply moved; how could she not repay such a kind old woman?

She rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a handful of talismans—recently, peace and wealth talismans had sold exceptionally well; the few in her hand were drawn last night, one each, the rest being attack talismans.

This was Pan Yun’s habit; after all, in her past life, demons and monsters were plentiful, and to guard against any possibility, she always carried many attack talismans.

If your cultivation base is insufficient, make up for it with talismans—throw attack talismans by the handful until you’re certain you’ve crushed your opponent.

Pan Yun picked out a peace talisman, a health talisman, and a wealth talisman from the pile and handed them to the old woman. “Good soul, these are talismans I’ve accumulated over time; these are the only beneficial ones left. Carry them with you.”

Pan Yun hesitated, then pulled two thunder talismans from the pile of attack talismans and gave them to her. “These are thunder talismans. You may carry them too. If anyone dares to offend you, silently recite ‘The Great Emperor of Thunder, Who Pervades the Nine Heavens,’ then throw the talisman—it will strike whomever you wish.”

The old woman’s eyes lit up brightly; she gripped the two talismans tightly. “Really?”

Pan Yun nodded firmly. “Really!”

The old woman immediately began reciting the words, memorizing them, then had her daughter fetch paper and ink to write them down—she planned to chant them morning and night to ensure she’d never forget.

Her diligence and trust moved Pan Yun deeply; she began sifting through the attack talismans for ones with simple activation incantations that wouldn’t harm herself. “Let me see what other talismans suit this good soul.”

But the old woman seized her hand. “Little Immortal, receiving thunder talismans has already satisfied me. I asked you here for two reasons: first, to thank you for letting me see my late husband; second, for my two daughters.”

The old woman pulled Hui Niang and Xian Niang forward for Pan Yun to see. “Little Immortal, please look at them—will their futures be smooth?”

Pan Yun carefully studied Sun Hui Niang and Sun Xian Niang.

She first examined Sun Hui Niang.

Sun Hui Niang looked twenty-four or twenty-five, her face still shadowed by grief; her marriage palace was dim, revealing that her life’s suffering stemmed largely from her husband’s family and would end in lonely old age.

Pan Yun’s gaze flickered; she took Hui Niang’s hand and examined it closely. The sleeve slipped down slightly, revealing a faint scar.

Pan Yun sighed, looking at Sun Hui Niang.

The room fell tense; the old woman hurriedly asked, “Little Immortal, what have you seen?”

“Good soul, this Sun woman has immense fortune, but her husband’s family is ill-suited to her,” Pan Yun said bluntly. “Your family has ancestral blessings; your ancestors’ virtue has ripened into fortune for your descendants. This Sun woman was a great benefactor in her past life, which is why she was born into your family—she carries her own virtue.”

The old woman nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes! Hui Niang has always been well-behaved since childhood, everything went smoothly—until she married, then misfortune followed.”

“It’s because her husband’s family suppresses her,” Pan Yun said. “With such a family, either separate households or divorce.”

The old woman’s face turned pale; Sun Hui Niang’s expression twisted in anguish.

Pan Yun saw the outcome instantly; she shifted tone, sighing. “Her husband’s family suppresses her, yet she greatly enhances their fortune. Unfortunately, they don’t cherish this blessing—they treat her poorly, wasting it. Had they treated her well, her fortune would have merged with theirs, bringing triple blessings: prosperity for children, grandchildren, and the household.”

The old woman’s eyes flickered. “How long would it take for this fortune to merge with her husband’s family?”

“It depends on the heart,” Pan Yun said. “If hearts are united, fortune unites. If the heart is bitter, no amount of time will bind them.”

The old woman gripped her daughter’s hand tightly, a plan forming in her mind.

Pan Yun pulled out two more thunder talismans and smiled sweetly. “Good soul, I find other talismans adequate, but you especially need thunder talismans. Please take two. These talismans strike filth and purify worldly corruption.”

Sun Hui Niang looked at the thunder talismans, tempted, but first glanced at her mother.

The old woman narrowed her eyes, hardened her heart, and said, “Take them! Get several more. Hui Niang, I’ll give you my two. When you return home, if your husband dares lay a hand on you, summon the Thunder Ancestor to descend and deliver justice.”

Pan Yun immediately pulled out a handful of talismans. “Besides thunder talismans, I have gravity talismans, sword-energy talismans, itching talismans...”

She slipped the itching talisman back, then smiled sweetly at them. “I mispicked that one.”

But the old woman’s gaze lingered on the itching talisman. Sun Hui Niang was tempted but restrained, asking softly, “Little Immortal, how much for one talisman?”

Pan Yun smiled. “Not expensive—twenty taels per talisman.”

Twenty taels—even the Sun family wouldn’t spend so freely. Sun Hui Niang was already married; her husband’s family, the Tian, were minor landowners, far inferior to the Sun family.

Twenty taels covered a whole family’s monthly expenses.

But Sun Hui Niang had just received a share of the inheritance; she was still tempted.

After hesitation, she said, “Then... I’ll take two thunder talismans and one sword-energy talisman.”

Sun Hui Niang pulled out a stack of silver notes and handed Pan Yun three twenty-tael notes.

Exchange of money for goods completed, Pan Yun gave her the talismans, then turned to Sun Xian Niang, who stood nearby.

The old woman immediately pulled Sun Xian Niang forward for Pan Yun to examine.

Pan Yun smiled. “This Sun woman’s fortune and virtue are less than Hui Niang’s, but her fortune is strong—and it will manifest through her descendants.”

The old woman beamed, nodding eagerly. “Yes, yes! My grandson spoke late, but he’s gifted in studies—he’s always praised by his teachers at school.”

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Pan Yun also took her hand, studied it awhile, then frowned. “Does this Sun woman have a daughter?”

Sun Xian Niang paused, then nodded. “Yes, I have a daughter—she’s six.”

“Did she come today?”

“Yes,” Sun Xian Niang turned quickly. “Quickly, bring the young lady.”

The servants, listening intently, immediately went to fetch a little girl.

She was said to be six, but likely counted in lunar years—she looked no more than four or five.

A tiny bundle, held in the nurse’s arms.

Pan Yun noticed her face was unnaturally pale; she had her brought closer and took her pulse.

But she’d only just begun learning pulse diagnosis; after much fumbling, she detected nothing, so pinched the girl’s cheek gently. “Little sister, do you feel any discomfort?”

The child’s eyes filled with tears, but she glanced at her mother and held back, whispering, “Foot... foot hurts.”

Pan Yun looked down at her feet and saw layer upon layer of cloth wrapped around them, and tiny, pointed shoes.

Her heart trembled—she recognized those shoes. At four or five, a servant had come to bind her feet; the shoes she brought were exactly like these.

Her face darkened. She touched the girl’s foot, then rose and bowed to the old woman. “Good soul, I cannot resolve this calamity for this Sun woman.”

The old woman stared in shock. “What? What calamity? Didn’t you say Xian Niang has fortune?”

“Indeed, this Sun woman clearly has fortune—it will manifest through her descendants. But this fortune carries blood-evil qi. I was puzzled earlier—why was fortune tainted by blood-evil? Now I understand.” Pan Yun said. “Half of the Zhou family’s fortune lies in this Sun woman’s eldest son; the other half lies in this girl. But this girl is dying.”

Sun Xian Niang shot to her feet. “You—what nonsense are you spouting, witch?”

“Silence!” the old woman snapped. “What are you shouting? You’ve seen the Little Immortal’s power—this is an Immortal, an Immortal!”

Sun Xian Niang’s face turned ashen; she dropped to her knees, weeping. “Little Immortal, forgive me—I spoke out of desperation. My daughter is perfectly well—how can you curse her?”

Pan Yun’s expression didn’t change; she remained gentle. “I understand, good soul, your love for your daughter is deep. But this calamity—I truly cannot resolve it.”

Today’s lucky number is any number ending in 2, screenshot as proof

Today is Dragon Boat Festival—wishing everyone a peaceful and healthy Dragon Boat Festival

(End of Chapter)